The Consolidation Continues

The Consolidation Continues

Is the bulk of the mainstream media reflecting the changes in the vox populi , or getting stuck in an endless repetition of ‘yesterday’s papers’?  What excuse does it have to root vigorously for a Congress line, when its ‘master’s voice’ has been reduced to 44 seats in the Lok Sabha, and is continually losing power in more and more State Assemblies?  

Why does it frown upon the RSS/BJP assertion that there should be  an anti-conversion law for all religions, or else everyone should be free to convert according to his conscience, with each religion free to evangelise as it wishes.

But, if you’re an innocent Martian, recently beamed down, reading and tuning in, you might be forgiven for thinking it is BJP that is in the Opposition, being inconvenient, after being roundly rejected by the people! The daily goings on are reminiscent of a ‘White Russian’ style opposition to Stalinism, which stubbornly persisted some years after the Russian Revolution.

Joseph Stalin, renowned in history for his ruthlessness with fellow countrymen who opposed his version of the ‘revolution’; predictably undertook a massive purge. This put-paid to the remains of  the old Russian aristocracy, most  ‘counter-revolutionaries’, including those who had infiltrated the ‘Red’ bastions, and the well-to- do middle class; the last as a matter of principle. Stalin just didn’t believe in a perceived opponent’s change of heart.

The BJP led by Modi, in a thriving  and vibrant democracy, definitely, perhaps naively, does. But, of course, it also does not have the wherewithal to conduct any Stalinist style pogrom to rid itself of its detractors, however unfair, provocative and unreasonable they may be.

It is true enough that the bulk of the extant mainstream press and TV is beholden to the erstwhile Congress/UPA regime; having benefited from years of its patronage. But the continued bias and propaganda, in favour of a defeated idea of ‘pseudo-secularism’, is both morally offensive and an insulting disservice to the popular will. Is the mainstream Indian media taking blatant and twisted advantage of the robust freedoms granted in this country?

As things stand, the Modi Government is moving determinedly towards a two-term presence, and so this bias will have to be reworked. The BJP on its part, should seriously encourage some of its well-heeled supporters to start or purchase/consolidate private TV channels, newspapers  and FM  radio stations with enough spark and reasoned commentary promoting the right-of-centre economic views of the Government to counter the Congress leaning propaganda on extraneous matters.

The BJP is only well configured and effective in the Social Media, but weak in the mainstream, in English and the vernacular, which since it reaches many more, must be addressed. The BJP’s romantic reliance, on a largely unpopular and ineffective DD and AIR combination in this space, is simply not good enough.   

The historical and sociological narrative on the ground however, has changed.  There is an important new story to tell. And since May 2014, it has been evident that the people of India have been voting decisively for it. It is for the new BJP, and not the old Mandir-Masjid version. The new BJP, that is embodied in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ message.  

But, as in any polity, there  are singularities. These emanate from the broader Sangh Parivar, and even from some MPs, MLAs, new Ministers and old Governors; either through sheer gaucherie, or  because they feel left out. These elements are therefore making efforts to attract attention, and possibly put pressure on the Government to protest their perceived marginalisation.

But, having said this, there is little justification for the mainstream media to give these deviants from the official  line the oxygen of so much publicity. They should be praising the Government instead for being singularly focussed on development for all.

The Roman proverb vox populi vox dei, meaning the voice of the people is no less than the voice of God, is worth a mention here.  The J&K and Jharkhand election results are significant for signalling the continuance of the Modi/Shah Wave. They also suggest Delhi’s election, coming up next, will also fall to the BJP’s tally.

This makes it all the more frustrating for some in the Congress-supporting mainstream media, that likes to portray the BJP as divisive, obscurantist, polarising, majoritarian and communal. In Parliament, this negative projection has both provided an excuse for obstruction and done its damage, preventing little legislative work to be done in the Winter Session.

But, the growing new reality is amongst the people, turning out in large numbers to vote, both in Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir. The BJP has won 25 seats in J&K, just three less than the PDP, and the largest share of the popular vote at 23%. It is now a strong contender to share power  there over the next six years. It makes eminent sense for PDP to join hands with it, so that together, they not only have a strong and stable Government, but the J&K administration is better aligned with the Centre.

In Jharkhand, the BJP has a massive lead in the popular vote share with 39%, and has won a majority on its own. The upcoming Government to be formed will be the first stable one since the State was carved out of Bihar. The verdict in Jharkand has also added to the tally of BJP run States, and bodes well for its increasing numbers in the Rajya Sabha, crucial for it to pass legislation with greater ease in future. This result is also a great chance to put the tremendous natural resources of Jharkhand to use.

And if these electoral victories and gains are giving the Opposition in Bihar the jitters, well they might, because the BJP will soon be ruling on its very doorstep.

 Delhi is indeed next, and then come the big states of Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, all before the next general elections in 2019. If all, or most of these, are won by the BJP, it will greatly consolidate its prospects for the next general elections in 2019.

The South of India also awaits; and BJP President Amit Shah, in perpetual election mode, is well aware of his party’s lack of electoral presence there; with just one important alliance with the TDP. More wins are bound to come, like a self-fulfilling prophecy, and to give further teeth to mission ‘Congress Mukt Bharat’. And if the people continue reduce the Congress Party to a footnote, where will all its vociferous fans in the media and out in civil society go to?

(1,093 words)

December 23^rd,   2014

Gautam Mukherjee